Free Shows Presented Online on Friday Evenings:
7 p.m. “Night Sky” Program
8 p.m. Feature Show
January 17 show - "The Robots of Mars"
January 24 show - "Luna: Earth's Natural Satellite"
January 31 show - "A Walk Around the Winter Hexagon"
See below for show details.
Zoom Link for January Friday Night Programs
Planetarium this week
Free, live, virtual public shows!
Invitation links to the planetarium's live online events are generally posted the Thursday before. These programs are only available LIVE on Friday evenings, and on the occasional Matinee dates (typically on Sundays). Clicking on the Zoom links at other times will not work.
Please scroll down beyond the calendar for notes on upcoming 8 p.m. programs
We also look forward to the expanded capabilities of the new planetarium and observatory SMC is building for opening in 2025.
Jim Mahon
Planetarium Lecturer
Weekly Night Sky Show
The Night Sky programs will last roughly 30 - 40 minutes, followed by a short question and answer period where guests can type questions into a chat box and we will answer as many questions as possible. There will be a short intermission at approximately 7:50 p.m. prior to the start of the Feature program at 8 p.m.
Feature Programs
Note that all 8 p.m. feature programs are preceded by the 7 p.m. “Night Sky” program described above.
Currently all presentations are online ONLY, with the exception of occasional observing programs.
January 17: "The Robots of Mars" — Planetarium Lecturer Sarah Vincent. The Red Planet is “inhabited” by robots. Curiosity and Perseverance are currently exploring its dusty surface, but they are just the latest in a long line of robotic explorers. Tonight’s show dives into the history and evolution of the robots of Mars.
January 24: “Luna: Earth’s Natural Satellite” — Lecturer Sarah Vincent. Tantalizingly close, yet so far away, Earth’s constant companion inspires dreams and exploration with its familiar face. Tonight’s show provides a quick guided tour of the Moon’s mare (Latin for “sea”) and craters.
Jan. 31: “A Walk Around the Winter Hexagon” — Lecturer Jim Mahon. The winter sky offers a bounty of bright stars surrounding its signature constellation, Orion the Hunter. Embedded in the Sword of Orion is the mighty Orion Nebula, the large area of star formation closest to the solar system. Using spectacular images, tonight’s show explores the Orion and Rosette nebulae, several beautiful star clusters, Barnard’s Loop, red giant Betelgeuse, Sirius (the brightest star in the night skies of Earth), the Crab Nebula, and other treasures of this rich area of the winter sky.
Location of Planetarium (Currently closed)
Drescher Hall, 2nd Floor
1900 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Campus Map
The Drescher Planetarium is located in the middle of the second floor of Drescher Hall on the north side of the Santa Monica College campus. Drescher Hall is the three story brown building on the South East corner of Pico Blvd. and 17th Street. We are in Santa Monica, south of the 10 (Santa Monica) Freeway and west of the 405 (San Diego) Freeway.